The 3d Project, the Play, THE Wedding, and much more

For many of my St. Catherine's years I have been fortunate to be part of a class who is allowed to attend a Naturalization Ceremony.  Understanding how America was populated and what that process entailed is the foundation of our curriculum. Although we have read and studied about the early groups of people, the most fun part is about to begin with the study of Immigration beginning in the 19 th Century.  Margaret Harker, a friend of mine and an Assistant United States Attorney, was kind enough to speak to my class about the naturalization process and the seriousness of taking the oath of allegiance.  This was particularly cool because she was also the attorney at the Naturalization Ceremony who reads the name of each new citizen--quite a challenge since they come from all over the world.  As usual, Judge Hannah Lauck and the US Marshals did an outstanding job of explaining the court and introducing Wanda, the bomb sniffing dog, to the girls!  Wanda was a big hit!

Margaret Harker, Assistant US Attorney, talking to the class about the Naturalization Ceremony.  
Play Practice
It's officially that time of year...we started play practice today, and are the girls ever excited about that! They are having a blast singing these wonderful songs and practicing their ultra cool dances.  Remember costume information is on the blog. Thursday, May 3, is the big day! I can't say the name of the play because...ssh!...it's always a major secret!

3D Project

The 3D project culminates in a sale tomorrow on Alumnae Weekend.  The scratch projects from our class are incredible and show an unbelievable ability to utilize technology in a whole, new way.  I'm convinced that some of these girls may start the next Google.  Wow!  Wait until you see their work! Several of the girls from our class have signed up to help sell all of the fabulous items they designed and printed.

THE Wedding

Now for the fun news! What is the wedding of the season? In case it is not on your radar, it's all about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on May 19. We have designed some exciting activities for the girls, one of which is to make a fascinator to wear because in our own way, we are making a trip across the pond! In the Parent Folder is a sheet about this.  The girls can bring feathers, ribbon, tulle, etc. to school to make the fascinator.  All materials must be in by next Friday.  Full details are on this paper in their folder!  We have a special place on the Fourthie Website devoted especially to the Royal Wedding. Working Edpuzzles, calculating distance... and making an invitation...it's all there!

And more...

For my girls, it's all about the Puritans, and I bet that you have learned a little more about these straightlaced folks along the way! The girls worked extremely hard on their projects and as each group presents, I am so impressed with the hard work that led toward the final product. For girls who are only ten years old, they are doing a great job of figuring out how to handle the dynamics of group work, for this is truly a learning process.  Each girl has grown so much and in ways that, frankly, I am in the best position to see. Lucky me! I can see what they are doing in class, and I am able to guide them along their individual paths of growth. Today, after the last group presented, the girls just spontaneously started talking about everything they had learned from this project.

This is what "learning how to learn" is all about. There is no substitute for the enthusiasm I have witnessed with this unit. Having read many books and websites, the girls were able to incorporate vocabulary and spelling from the Witch of Blackbird Pond, take notes and participate in lively, as well as thoughtful, discussions in class about why these groups of people made a dangerous trip across the ocean. Don't worry!  We are not finished with this unit!  Not yet!

Final Assembly Form

Final Assembly Information

It's that time of year!  Your girls will soon be leaving lower school. This is the first part of getting ready.  Please click hereso that you can fill out this form with your daughter's name as you would like it listed on her certificate. Stay tuned for more information!

Just an FYI

Dress Code  -   Just an FYI

Now that the weather is warmer, please be mindful of the Dress Code. Girls grow through the year, and those shorts and skirts that were perfect in September often are too short by April.  I gave every girl a copy of the Dress Code to give to you, and the Parent Handbook is on the blog, as well. Page 46 will refer you to the Dress Code for Lower School girls.  Athletic wear and denim are not permitted unless it is a special day.   The girls tell me that great shorts are available at Target and The Gap!